World Menopause Day
Menopause has been part of the lives of women since time began. Or at least since women lived long enough to age into it! Over time and depending on the culture, a great deal of mystery, confusion and misunderstanding has encircled this season of a woman’s life.
History of World Menopause Day
As women’s health changes so significantly in midlife, World Menopause Day seeks to inform and educate about menopause, raising awareness about women should expect and encouraging them to get the help they need from health care providers and other support workers.
From cognitive issues to mood changes, from weight gain to sleeping problems, menopause is much more than just the absence of periods. In fact, the process of transition in menopause typically lasts around seven years, but can be up to fourteen years. This is a large chunk of a woman’s life!
Reducing the amount of secrecy and shame of this natural process that happens to half of the world’s population, World Menopause Day is a day for women, women communities, health care workers and others to advocate and get involved.
Founded by the World Health Organization in cooperation with the International Menopause Society, World Menopause Month is celebrated in October, and World Menopause Day is specifically dedicated on October 18.
Themes for World Menopause Day each year help to focus on one specific aspect of the general event. Past themes have included issues such as Cognition and Mood, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), Bone Health, and Testosterone for Women in Midlife.
Join in to observe World Menopause Day either as a women in menopause, or in support of those women in the community and throughout the world who are!
How to Celebrate World Menopause Day
World Menopause Day comes with many different options for raising awareness and offering support to this cause. Consider implementing some of these ideas:
Get Involved with World Menopause Day Events
Whether its attending a local lecture or hosting a women’s gathering or book discussion, there are lots of opportunities to get connected to events related to World Menopause Day. Check out the International Menopause Society webpage to get access to various resources and toolkits (available in at least 10 languages) in support of the day.
Women Can Make a Doctor Appointment
Women who are in their mid-forties should consider asking their doctor about what to expect when it comes to menopause. Even if their body is not yet experiencing symptoms, it’s important to be aware of what to expect and how to respond. Advice from a medical professional may include diet changes, hormone therapy, home remedies, exercise, antidepressants or other treatments when the time is right.
Learn More About Menopause
Learn about not only the physical symptoms, but the cognitive and hormonal issues and how they can be handled so that menopause does not have to wreak havoc on women’s lives. Whether doing research through the International Menopause Society Website, on a medical website, or by reading books on the subject, the best way to be prepared for World Menopause Day is to get informed!
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